A High Stability Microwave Synthesizer for Space Applications

Two phase locked transistor and Gunn diode oscillators have been developed at S and X band respectively as building blocks of a microwave synthesizer for on-board space applications. Each VCO is locked to a single reference source by means of a wideband control module, that has been made in hybrid technology on G-l0 epoxy and teflon-fiberglass substrates. The reference signal is provided to both the PLL circuits by a proper master oscillator, whose frequency is controlled by an oven contained quartz crystal. All circuits, except the transferred electron oscillator, make use only of components, that are qualified for space applications.